Traction-engine.



No. 842,589. PATNTED JAN. 29, 1907. WLN. SPRINGER.

TRAGTION ENGINE. APPLIcmIoN' FILED nnc.21,19o4.

da@ ,E

5 SHEETS-'SHEET a.

fHr: Nokms PETERS co., wAsNlNaroN, D. c.

No. 842,589. PATBNTED JAN. 29, 1907.

W. N. SPRINGER. -TNAGTION ENGINE.

APPLIOATMN FILED DEG. 21, 1904. l v 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

rHt'Naluu: rrrlns co.; ulAsHmaroR, Il. t.v

No. 842,589. EATENTED JAN. 29,1907.

' W. N. SPRINGER.

ERECTION ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED 1211621.19104.

5 SHBETS-SHBET 5.

THENoRRls PETERS co., wAsHINsToN. D. z:4

UNITED sTATEs PATENT orrIcii-,N

WILLIAM N. SPRINGER, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNOR TO THE AVERYMANUFACTURING OOMPANY,`OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TRACTlON-ENGINE.

Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, haveinventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Traction-Engines, of

i which the following is a specification, referi ence being had thereinto the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in traction-engines-that is,engines of the class which are adapted to propel themselves over y theground without requiring tracks.

One of the objects of the invention is to so construct and relate thevarious essential parts that the boiler and the parts immediatelyadjacent thereto shall be relieved of the Weight of the shafting andgearing and relieved of the strains exertedv by these parts when poweris being transmitted through them.

Another object is to provide a peculiarlyconstructed andpeculiarly-arranged framework of such nature that it can support theboiler and the fire-box, on the one hand, and the engine parts,` thepower-shafting, and gearing, on the other hand, in such manner as tohave the latterflrmly and rigidly held in place independently of theformer.

Another object is to so construct and relate the parts of the vehicle towhich the steering-wheels are attached that they can be supported withfirmness and in such position that they can be readily turned in any waydesired, and the power for effecting the adjustment of thesteering-wheels can be transmitted to the greatest advantage.

The invention also relates to other matters of improvement, which arefully set forth bethe boiler and the cab being removed. Fig.KA f3 is afront view of the vehicle on a larger scale. Fig. .4 shows one of themain side bars,` together with ythe ycentral bar which supports thesteering mechanism. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the frame andthe crank-shaft and its associated parts and the' `clutch-shiftingdevice for the two-speed mechanism. Fig. 6 is a view of the frontxSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 29, 1907.

Application filed December 2l, 1904. Serial No. 237,859.

boiler upon the main frame. Fig. 7 shows the centralv bracket. Fig. 8 isa side view of the parts which support the steering-axle. Fig. 9 is afront view of the same, the framebar being shown in section. Fig. 10 isa side view of a modification of the parts shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Fig.11 is a plan view of the front steering-wheels, a portion of the mainframe, and the devices for turning the wheel. Fig. 12 is a side view ofthe parts shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a side view of the centralboiler-supporting bracket and the frame parts associated therewith. viewof the cross-bar for supporting the rear end of the longitudinal bar Iand the parts associated therewith.

In the drawings, A indicates the boiler; B, the fire-box; O, theengineers platform, and D the cab, these parts being of any form ofconstruction now well known or of any preferred style. As shown, theyare provided with the usual engine adjuncts, such as smoke-stack E,steam-dome F, globe-valve G, throttle devices H, &c.

The boiler, lire-box, and other parts above referred` to are supportedupon the truckframe or vehicle-frame entirely independently of thepower-generating and powertransmitting devices, the latter being sosecured directly to and supported upon the framework as to relieve theboiler of all strain.

The framework of the vehicle or truck consists of twolongitudinally-arranged side the beams H.

The rear ends 1 of the side beams I-I are at the rear edge of theplatform, and the beams extend forward by the side of the fire-box andnearly to the vertical plane of the front' end of the boiler. c

The central longitudinal beam I has its front end considerably inadvance of the front end of the boilerand extends backward to atransverse vertical plane considerably behind the front ends of thesidebeams H. It is firmly connected tothe side beams by mean of cross bars,plates, or brackets, to be described.

J is a plate or bar secured to the upper flanges of the side beams H andextending c `across the frame from one beam to the other. i standard orvbracket which supports the K is a bracket which is formed with a cen-Fig. 14 is afront y IOO tral vertical standard 2 and withoutwardlydiverging legs which have feet or pedestals that are fastenedto the upper flanges et the beams H. The central part ot this bracket Kis secured by bolts 5 to the top flanges ot the central beam I. At theupper end oi' the bracket there is a saddle 6, which lies under andpartly surrounds the boiler, furnishing for the latter support at theiront end.,

Under the central part ot the boiler there is another bracket,(indicated as a whole by L.) It has a central vertical upright part 7,with a saddle 8 at the top for the boiler. At the lower part it issecured to or formed with a cross bar or plate 9, which is secured tothe upper flange or' the longitudinal bar I. This bar is supported atits inner end upon a transversely-arranged cross-bar 9a, which extendsfrom one side beam H to the other and is rigidly bolted thereto.

The rear part or' the boiler structure is carried by standards oruprights M, which are bolted to the outer sides of the fire-box, asshown at 10, and have flanges 1 1, which are bolted to the top flangesof the side beams H.

The framework having the parts referred to and carrying the boiler andfire-box is supported upon front wheels N and rear wheels O. The rearwheels are used as drivers, receiving the propelling power from theengines, and the front wheels N are used for steering.

The trent axle is indicated by 12. It passes through boxes 13 andthrough a sleeve 14. This sleeve at its center is connected to a hanger15, the sleeve having a strong pivot-pin 16 fitting in an eye or bearing17 in the hanger. The hanger is pivotally connected to the beam I, therebeing a plate 18 bolted to the under side of the beam and formed withpivot-lugs 19. Hingebolts 20 connect the ends of the hanger andpivot-lugs 19.

In order to have a resiliency ot connection between the axle 12 and theframework and parts carried thereby, I interpose a spring 2.1 betweenthe sleeve 14 and the plate 18.

The beam I, together with the frame and the part-s supported thereon,can move down and up relatively to the axle under the compression andthe expansion of the spring 21, the hanger 15 being allowed to slip inrelation to the arm or pin 16, which is made sulliciently long tor thispurpose. The boxes 13 are formed on or secured to the steering-fork 22,which is arranged horizontally and extends backward to devices by meansot which this fork can be moved laterally. The fork has a sleeve 23, inwhich fits or telescopes a 6o rod 24. This rod at its rear end hasblockhalves 25 secured thereto, each ot these block halves or sectionshaving a 'trunnionpivot 26, one projecting upward and the otherdownward. 27 is a fork the arms of which are connected to thetrunnion-pivots 26.

28 is a nut mounted on a transverselyarranged screw-threaded shaftV 29.This shaft is mounted in depending hangerbrackets 30, bolted to theiront ends ot the longitudinal side beams H. When the shart 29 isrotated, its thread, which engages with the nut 28, will cause thelatter to move transversely ot the machine. The fork 27 is pivoted tothe nut by trunnion-pivots 31. When the shaft is rotated and the nut ismoved longitudinally thereof, it carries the lfork with it, and as thelatter is connected to the rod 24 the latter-is also moved laterally,this causing the fork 22 to swing around the vertical axis at 16 and tomove the axle 12 to one line or another inclined to the path of advanceof the machine.

The pivots at 26 permit freedom of movement or' the rod 24 and ot thefork relatively to each other.

31 is a rod or bar rigidly secured to the fork 27 and extending backwardand through a guide-loop 32, secured to and depending from one of thecross-bars oii the main frame.

The screw-strait 29 is rotated by a gearwheel 33, secured to it, thiswheel being driven by a pinion 34 on a shaft 35, mount ed on one or thebrackets 30.

36 is a bevel-pinion on the shaft 35, meshing with a bevel-pinion 37 atthe end of a shaft 38, which extends back to the engineers cab or to apoint where it can be readily rotated by hand. l/Vhen it is so rotated,it will, through the gearing just referred to, rotate the screw-shaft 29and cause the latter to move the nut 28 toward one side or the other oi'the machine and accomplish the adjusting of the iront wheels so as tosteer the machine in the desired direction.

The rear wheels or driving-wheels O are mounted on the ends of the axle37. This axleis supported on the side beams H of the trame and extendsfrom points outside of one across the trame to points outside of theother. It is secured to the frame by a yielding holder.

38 39 are two box-halves which surround the shaft and which are clampedtogether by bolts 49. These bolts have collars, the extended parts beingindicated by 42. 43 is a cross rod. or plate near the lower ends ofthese bolt extensions.

44 and 44 are nuts at the lower ends of the bolts which hold thecross-plate 43 in position and by means ot which it can be adjustedvertically. y

45 45 are springs of which there is one around each of the bolts 42,each spring bearing upward st the beam I and bearing downward against'the cross-plate 43.

46 46 are guide-brackets bolted to the upper flange of the beam l andlying immediately adjacent to the parts 38 39.

It will be seen that the frame-beams H under the weight of the boilerand other IOO IIO

the box -38 39 and the `springs 45 yielding to the downward movement.When the springs are free to react, they lift the frame and the partscarried thereby.

The engines, to be referred to more fully below, drive the ground-wheelsO through shafting and gearing as follows: 47 is the crankshaft, whichis provided with gearwheels 48 49, adapted to be alternately connectedto the intermediate shaft 50. This shaft carries atone end a gear-'wheel51, adapted to be driven by the gear-wheel 49 and which in turn drivesthe cuter part or wheel 52 of the compensating gearing, indicated as awhole by P and having the two `driven elements 53 54, these beingpinions 57 on the frame-bars H.

the crank-shaft 47.

i the valve-rods.

ln order to maintain proper driving relationship between thecounter-shaft and the groundwheels and avoid disadvantages that wouldresult from the vertical play of the framework in relation to the rearaxle, I employ radius-bars S, each having a hinge or pivotalengagementat one end with the counter-shaft and at the other end withthe rear axle. These radius-bars may be arranged immediately inside ofthe main drivinggears 53 55 on one side and` 54 56 on the other side, orat any other suitable lines..

The engines are indicated by R R. Each has the cylinder 59, theguide`60, and the ex tension-plate 61, which extends forward to Eachcylinder is bolted to the above cross plate or bar J. The rear partsofthe extension-plates 61- are cast with `or secured to bearingstands62, in which the crankshaft is mounted. The outer bearings of thecrankfshaft are indicated at 63. These and the bearings at 62 aresecured to a crosslate 64, which extends from cne` side beam H to theother.

643L represents the valve-chests, and 65 are These are pivoted to thearms 66 of rock-shafts l67, which are mounted in bearings on the underside of the guides 69.`

68 'represents the eccentric-rods connected to crank-arm 69 on therock-shaft 67, these eccentric-rods being connected to eccentrics 70.

`The engines can be reversed in` any wellknown manner. For illustrationl have `shcwn a valve-gear of the well-known link type with slidingblocks for controlling the eccentrics. These blocks are indicated at 71,they being mounted in guides 7 2, which are pivotally supported, asindicated at 7 about the axes of which pivots they are free `to be swungby link mechanism comprising the links 74, pivotally connected at theirupper ends to the said swinging guides and at their lower ends to theupper ends of the lever-arms 7 5, which arms are rigidly secured toatransversely-arranged shaft 7 -6, mounted in suitable bearings on theengine-frame. 77 is an arm rigidly secured to the said shaft. 78 is apitman pivotally connected at its forward end to the rear lower end ofsaid arm 77 and at its rear end to a leverarm 79, rigidly secured to across-shaft 80, mounted in bearings cn the frame-bars H.

81 is a reversing-lever mounted on vthe platform ofthe engine or atpoints accessible to the engineer and connected to the rockshaft 80 by alin krod S2 and a crank 83.

The throttle-lever is indicated at 7 S', it being connected by a link7.9 with a throttlevalve at 80', which may be'of any usual or preferredconstruction. The steam is can ried from the globe-valve G through ahorizontal duct, (indicated by 81.) This passes through the water andsteam chamber in the boiler and then through the end w'all at 82 of thechamber and is connected to the vertical duct 83', which passes downwardthrough the chamber at 83a to the governorvalve chamber 84a. The valvein this chamber is controlled by the governor devices 84.`

haust-ducts, having the curved parts 86 and the vertical parts 87, whichare united at 8S to the vertical. duct 89, which extends upward topoints immediately below the smoke-stack E, through which latter theexhaust is' driven for increasing the draft when it is desired.

The upper part of the front end of the boiler islaterally lbraced bymeans of stayrods 90, which are formed with feet 91, that are fastenedto the beam I by a clamp-plate 92 and bolts 93.

The wheels 48 and 49 on the crank-shaft are loose, one at one end of theshaft and the other at'the other end.

IOO

IIO

94 94 are lclutches feathered to the shaft 47 and adapted to slidethereon, the wheels is indicated as an entirety by S. Preferably it`consists of the transversely-amanged superposed sliding bars 95 96,each of which 48 and 49 having clutch-faces with which recarries at itsouter end a clutch-fork 97which is adapted to engage with the collar ofthe adjacent movable clutch-jaw. The lower one of. these two bars issupported near either end upon uprights 98, which are rigidly secured tothe side bars H of the frame.

95 is a downwardly extending pin arranged to fit into a slot 96 in theadjacent end of the bar 96.

99 is a transversely-arranged rod or shaft, carrying at one end adouble-grooved cam 100.

10] is aroller pivotally connected to the bar 95 and arranged to engagewith the walls of one of the cam-grooves in the cam 100. Theshifting-bar 95 has a slot at 95a, through which projects a stud orpivot rigidly secured to the bar 96 and carrying at its upper end aroller 102, which. is arranged to engage with the walls of the secondcam-groove in the cam 100. These cam-grooves are so arranged in relationto each other and to the rollers which they control as to cause theshifting of the bars 95 96 in either direction, according to which theshaft 99 is rotated. It will thus be seen that when the said shaft 99 isturned in one direction the bar 95 will be projected in such manner asto disengage the movable clutch element controlled by it from itsadjacent clutch. element, and the bar.,

96 will be shifted so as to cause the clutch elementcontrolled by it tooperatively engage with the adacent clutch element. The bars 95 96 arecapable of movementJ relative to each other, and the grooves in the cam,which may be sections of helices, are so correlated as to cause both ofthe bars 95 96 to hold the clutch elements controlled by themrespectively in inoperative position in certain positions of adjustmentof the rod 99, thus providing for the running of the engines free andindependent of the traction-gearing either for the purpose of getting upspeed or for the purpose of transmitting power through the belt-wheeland the belt for any desired purpose. i

The outer ends of the bar 99 are squared to receive a wrench or anyothcr'suitable device for engaging with them in order to turn the saidrod. When desired, suitable mechanism can be arranged between the rod 99and thc engineers platform, by means of whichit is possible to controlthe rotation of the said rod without the necessity of the operatorleaving the engineers cab.

While I have for the sake of illustration shown one manner of shiftingthe speed-controlling clutches, it will be understood that l tween whichis fitted the lower end of the swivel-block 104, 105 4being a boltarranged to hold these parts in proper relation to each other. 106 is aplate rigidly secured to the under edge of the beam l and havingextending downward therefrom the socket 107, into which the swivel 104is fitted. 108 108 are downwardly-extending guides, between which isfitted and guided the sliding plate orbar 109. 110 is a yoke having itsends pivotally secured to the opposite ends of the said plate 109. Thelower half of the bearing 103 carries the pivot 103, which is mountedloosely in the yoke 110. 111 111 are bolts rigidly secured at theirupper ends to the bar 106 and extending downwardly through holes in theguide-plate 109 and provided with nuts 11.2. 11.3 are springs fittedaround said bolts and interposed between the plate 106 and theguide-plate 109. This form of axle-mounting permits of the rising andfalling of the axle relative to the frame and tends to relieve the partsof the machine from sudden strains and shocks encountered in theordinary manipulation of this type of engine.

What 1 claim is- 1. The combination, with the frame having thelongitudinal side beams, of the longitudinally-arranged central beam I,extending from points under the center point of the boiler to oints infront of the boiler and in front of t e side beams, the boiler-supportsecured to the central beam I, the engines arranged at the sides of thebeam the crankshaft in rear of the engines, the rear wheels, and theshafting and gearing interposed between the engines and thedriving-wheels, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the longitudinal side bars H, the boiler above theside bars, the longitudinally-arranged center beamI in horizontal planesabove the planes of the side bars, the cross plates or beams, theboilersupports rigidly connected to the central longitudinal bar I, theengines at the sides of the central longitudinal bar, the front axlebelow the front end of the central longitudinal bar, the pivotalconnecting devices between the axle and the beam I, and means forturning the axle around the pivotal connecting devices for steering theengine, sub,- stantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the boiler, the firebox, the engineers platform,the longitudinal beams H at the sides of the engine, thelongitudinally-arranged bar I between and above the beams H, the reardriving groundwheels, the front steering-wheels, the front axle underthe front part of the beam I, power-transmitting devices connected tothe axle for steering it, means adapted to be operated by hand foractuating the power-transmitting devices, the engines supported on theside beams H independently of the boiler, the

IOO

crank-shaft on the side beams, and the interi mediate shafting andgearing all supported on the frame independently of the boiler, the reardriving ground-wheels, the front wheels, the front axle under the frontend of the central horizontal beam I, and adapted to swing `horizontallyaround a vertical pivot and to swing vertically around a horizontalpivot, and power-transmitting devices for moving the said axle aroundthe vertical pivot for steering the engine, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the rear driving- Wheels, the frame adapted torise and fall relatively to the said ground-wheels and havi ing thelongitudinal side beams H and the central horizontal longitudinallyarranged beam I between and above the beams H, the cross bars or platesconnecting the beams H, the bar I being securedto the said cross bars orplates, the standards or brackets supported on the said crossrbars orplates and adapted to support the boiler, the engines supported on theframe independently of the boiler, the crank-shaft on the said frame andthe shafting and gearing intermediate of the crank-shaft and the rearground drivingwheels, the front wheels, the front axle arranged to swinghorizontally around a vertical hinge which is adapted to 'swingvertically, and power-transmitting devices adapted to turn the frontaxle `around the vertical hinge for steering the engine, substantiallyas set forth. y

- 6. The combination of the boiler, the frame, the engine, the rearwheels, the shafting 'and gearing inter nosed between 4the'engines andthe rear whee s for transmitting power to the latter, the frontsteering-wheels adapted to be turned to different inclinations to theplanes ofthe driving-wheels, and means for 'turning the saidfrontwheels, comprising the telescopic rod and sleeve one connected t`o thefront wheels and the other to a carrier movable laterally of the engine,substantiallyT as set forth.

7 In a traction-engine, `the combination, with the boiler, the engine,the driving ground-wheels, and the shafting and gearing ower from theengine to the driving-whee s, of the steering-wheels adapted to beturned to different angles of inclination to the planes of thedrivingwheels, andk means for turning the steeringwheels to the saidinclinations comprising a laterally-movable nut, a threaded shaft formoving the nut, and means connecting they nut to the steering-wheels forturning them comprising a art suitably connected to the steering-whee sand carrying one element of a telescopic connection and a fork pivotallyconnected to said nut and having pivotally connected to it the otherelement of said telescopic connection, substantially as set forth.

8. In a traction-engine, the combination, with the boiler, the engine,the driving ground-wheels, andthe shafting and gearing interposedbetween the engine and the ground-wheels, of the steering-wheels adaptedto be turned to either of several inclina-v f tions to the planes of thedriving-wheels, the' laterally-movable nut, the threaded shaft, and thetelescopically connected powertransmitting devices interposed betweenthe `nut andthe steering-wheels, substantially as set forth.

9. In a traction-engine, the combination, with the boiler, the engine,the groundwheels, and the means for transmitting power from the engineto the ground-wheels, of the steering-wheels` adapted to be turned toeither of several inclinations to the planes of i the ground-wheels thetransversely-mounted shaft, the transversely-moving nut actuated by thesaid shaft, and the telescopically-connected rod and sleeve, oneconnected to the said nut and the other connected to the saidsteering-wheels, substantially as set forth.

10. ln a traction-engine, the combination,

.with the boiler, lthe hre-box, the driving ground-wheels, the engines,and the power-1 transmitting devices between the engines and thedriving-wheels, of the steering-wheelsA adapted to be moved to either ofseveral inclinations to the planes of the driving-wheels,

the telescopically-coimected power-transniit- `ting parts for moving thesteering-wheels, fone `of the said parts being connected to atransversely-moving carrier, and means for causing the said carrier tomove towardthe one side dr toward the other side of the engine in orderto turn the steering-wheels,

substantially as set forth l1. In a traction-engine, the combination ofa frame having longitudinal side beams, a4

longitudinally-arranged central beam having its front end extendingforward beyond the front ends of the said side beams, a steeringsaidcentral beam, steering-wheels mounted on said steering-axle, enginessecured upon said frame, a boiler supported thereon, traction-wheelsmounted near the rear end of said frame, and shafting and gearinginterposed between thesaid engines and the said traction-wheels.

12. In a traction-engine, the combination of a frame having longitudinalside beams IOO 1`2o axle suitably connected to the front end of` andsuitable cross bars or plates connecting them together, alongitudinallyarranged central beam secured to said cross bars or platesand having its front end extending forward beyond the front ends of saidside beams, steering-wheels suitably connected to the front ends of saidcentral beam, engines secured upon said frame, a boiler supported on theframe, traction-wheels mounted near the rear end of the frame, andshafting and gearing interposed betweensaid engines and saidtraction-wheels.

13. In a traction-engine, the combination of a frame having longitudinalside beams, a longitudinally-arranged central beam having its front endsextending forward beyond the front ends of said side beams, asteering-axle suitably connected to the front end of said central beam,steering-wheels mounted on said steering-axle, engines arranged at thesides of said central beam, a boiler, a boilersupport for the front endof the boiler resting upon said central beam, traction wheels near therear of said framework, and shafting and gearing interposed between saidengines and said traction-wheels.

14. In a traction-engine, the combination of a frame having longitudinalside beams, a longitudinally-arranged central beam li aving its frontend extending forward beyond the front ends of said side beams, asteeringaxle suitably connected to the front end of said central beam,steering-wheels mounted on said steering-axles, a boiler, supports forthe boiler one arranged near the front end thereof and the otherarranged near the middle thereof and both resting on said central beam,engines supported on said framework, traction-wheels arranged near therear end of said framework, and power-transmitting mechanism interposedbetween said engines and said traction-wheels.

15. In a traction-engine, the combination of a frame having longitudinalside beams, a longitudinally-arranged central beam with its front endextending forward beyond the front ends of said side beams,steering-wheels suitably connected to the front end of said centralbeam, a boiler, a support for the front end of said boiler comprising acentral vertical standard resting at its base upon said central beam andhaving outwardly-diverging legs with feet resting upon the adjacent sidebeams near their front ends, engines arranged upon said frame,traction-wheels mounted near the rear end of said frame, andpower-transmitting mechanism interposed between said engines and saidtraction-wheels.

16. In a traction-engine, the combination of a frame having longitudinalside beams, a longitudinally-arranged central I-beam with its front endextending beyond the front ends of said side beams, steering-wheelssuitably connected to the front ends of said vkcentral beams, a boiler,a support for the boiler arranged near the center thereof and having asaddle adapted to receive the boiler, and a central vertical standardresting at its base upon said central beam, engines arranged upon saidframework, traction-wheels mounted near the rear end of said framework,and powertransmitting mechanism interposed between said engines and saidtraction-wheels.

17. In a traction-engine, the combination of a frame having longitudinalside beams, a longitudinally-arranged central beam having its front endextending forward beyond the front ends of said sine beam,steeringwheels suitably connected to the front ends of said centralbeam, a boiler, a support for the front end of said boiler comprising acentral vertical standard resting at its base upon said central beam andhaving outwardlydiverging legs with feet resting upon the adjacent sidebeams near their front ends, a support for the central part of saidboiler having a saddle adapted to receive the boiler and a centralvertical standard resting at its base upon said central beam, enginesarranged upon said frame, traction-wheels mounted near the rear end ofsaid frame, and power-transmitting mechanism interposed between saidengines and said traction-wheels.

18. In a traction-engine, the combination of a framework, a hangerpivotally connected to the front end of said framework to swing about ahorizontal axis, a steering-axle pivotally connected to said hanger toswing about a vertical axis, a spring interposed between said axle andthe adjacent part of the framework to which the said hanger isconnected, steering-wheels carried by said axle, a boiler and an en inearranged on said framework, traction-wieels mounted near the rear end ofsaid framework, power-transmitting mechanism interposed between saidengine and said traction-wheels, and means for turning the saidsteering-axle around the said vertical axis.

19. In a traction-engine, the combination of a framework, a U-shapedhanger having its ends pivotally connected to the front end of saidframework to swing about a horizontal axis, a steering-axle resting nearits center upon said hanger and pivotally connected thereto to swingabout a vertical axis, a spring interposed between said axle and theadjacent part of the framework to which the said hanger is connected,steering-wheels carried by said axle, a boiler and an engine arranged onsaid framework, traction-wheels mounted near the rear end of saidframework, power-transmitting mechanism interposed between said engineand said tractionwheels, and means for turning said steeringaxle aroundthe said vertical axis.

20. In a traction-engine, the combination IOC:

TIO

of a framework, a U-shaped hanger having i its ends pivotally connectedto the front end of said framework to swingl about a horizonV tal axis,a lsleeve resting upon said hanger and pivotally connected thereto -toswing sleeve, steering-wheels mounted on'said axle,

a boiler and an engine arranged on said framework, traction-wheelsmounted near the rear end. of saidframework, power-transmit gine andsaid traction-wheels, and means for Y turning the said steering-axlearound the vertical axis of said sleeve. Y

21. VIn a traction-engine, the combination with a frame, a boiler and anengine secured thereon, traction-wheels mounted near the rear endthereof, and powertransmitting mechanism interposed between said engineand said tractionswheels, of a vertically rising and falling platearranged beneath the front end of said framework, springs interposedbetween said plate and said frame work, a swivel-block connected to saidplate to swing about a vertical axis, a U-shaped hanger having its endspivotally connected to said vertically-movable block to swing aboutahorizontal axis, a steering-axle pivotally connected to said swivelblock to swing about the same horizontal axis, and pivotally connectedto said hanger to swing about the vertical axis of said swivelblock,steering wheels carried bysaid steering-axle, and

` means for turning the saidaxle around the `said vertical axis.

thereon, traction-wheelsy mounted near the rear end thereof, andpower-transmitting i' mechanism interposed between said engine and saidtraction-wheels, of a vertically rising and falling plate arrangedbeneath the front end of said framework and guided in its movements byguides extending downwardly from said framework, springs interposedbetween said plate and said framework, a swivel-block connected to saidplate to swing about a vertical axis and having its upperend guided bythe walls of a socket dependingfrom said framework, a U-shaped hangerhaving its ends ivotally connected to said vertically-movab e block toswing about a horizontal axis, a steering-wheel pivotally connected tosaid swivel -block to swing about the same horizontal axis, andpivotally connected to said hanger to swing about the vertical axis ofsaid swivel-block, steeringwheels carried by said steering-axle, andmeans for turning said axle around said vertical axis.

23. In a traction-engine, the combination with a frame, a boiler and anengine secured thereon, tractionfwheels mounted near the rear endthereof, and power-transmitting mechanism interposed between said engineand said traction-wheels, of a vertically rising and falling platearranged beneath the front end of said framework, springs inter posedbetween said plate and said frame work, a steering-axle connected tosaid plate to swing both around a vertical axis and around a horizontalaxis, and means for turning said axle around said vertical axis.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.i

WILLIAM N. SPRINGER. Witnesses:`

GEO. KLEIN,

LEE W. HAZARD.

